M&A or LevFin at European banks?
Hi everyone, I have to choose between LevFin and M&A at a European bank, which is typically stronger on financing compared to advisory.
My end goal would be to move to MM PE, without having to work 80 hours a week in some American bank.
If you are at banks such as BNP, Credit Agricole, CACIB, Barclays etc. do you think it would make more sense to be in a levfin team and gain deal experience or to work in M&A?
Based on the most helpful WSO content, if your goal is to move to middle-market private equity (MM PE) while avoiding the grueling hours of American banks, here’s what you should consider:
LevFin vs. M&A for MM PE:
Work-Life Balance:
Recommendation:
Ultimately, the decision should also factor in your personal interests (e.g., whether you prefer credit-focused work or broader deal advisory) and the specific reputation of the teams at your bank.
Sources: Private Equity shops with the best work/life balance, Q&A: BB LevFin - Mezzanine - Opportunistic PE, 20 Most Frequently Asked Questions - London Edition, Q&A: BB LevFin - Mezzanine - Opportunistic PE, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/investment-banking/from-a-levfin-banker-this-is-how-an-apollo-lbo-deal-works?customgpt=1
Not at the banks above but at a leading BB LevFin franchise EMEA.
My two cents: If the bank is known for financing and the strongest team is LevFin, then you should go with that bank. Though LF tends to exit to top PC/DL shops, MM PE is not out the question. 4 people from my class exited to MM PE. You may have to pick up additional modelling skills on the way for interview but if you are smart, which you should be, should not be an issue.
If you pick M&A, make sure you will have a ton of deals to your name: if not, then don't choose.
One of the reasons LevFin is still respected for MM PE (rarely MF), is because of the sheer number of deals you do. You come across so many different companies and FCF profiles etc that make you good at any job, including, PC/DL/PE.
Personally, I am going to go into DL/PC. Way better hours than PE and you will still have pay equivalent to mid-bucket at top PE shops. Obviosuly top-bucket PE will pay more but at what costs? Additional pressure, longer hours etc.
Thank you very much! Does the same apply for Debt Advisory roles at MM/EB boutiques - is it still possible to exit to MM PE/PC as long as the team has a good brand an deal flow or has LevFin stronger exits?
If you have the choice, always pick LevFin but the only Debt Advisory firms with strong exits in EMEA would be Rothschilds, Evercore, PJT. LevFin guys will in most scenarios top the rest for PC / PE roles.
People view debt advisory as a long term career. Most people go into EB long term if they view themselevs as a career banker. Therefore, if you want to be a career banker then sure, EB Debt Advisory is a shout + superior pay. However, if you want to leave the options open, then LevFin then you can always pivot back into Debt Advisory if you envision the long term.
Thank you, I am not at DB but at a different European bank. May I ask you what your LevFin role entails? Here we basically input the sponsor numbers in a pre-made template and then we make sensitivities on revenues growth, EBITDA margin etc.
On the other hand the M&A guys in general do “real” models when working on transactions.
Again, since my bank is stronger for financing, I am not sure which path should I take
Hi may I ask you if at your bank LevFin involves a large amount of boring, middle-office tasks like KYC, Compliance checklist etc?
It is a BB so yes, ofcourse - but we have dedicated middle office team for that
go with the strongest team/more deal flow
Mmmh as someone who worked at one of the banks you listed, I would go with M&A. The lateral opportunities are greater, and you will be put into an M&A coverage group. As, for example, Consumer is a niche, it will be much easier for you to transition to a bulge bracket. However, you also can't group all European banks into the same category. Different banks divide the work differently, so in some LevFin groups the LBO modelling on big deals is limited to the M&A coverage groups.
It's highly unlikely you will get into PE from a balance sheet bank, with maybe BNP as the exception. Also, don't underestimate the PE hours. I know a Bocconi guy that did M&A at a BB, and quit a PE firm as he couldn't cope. PE usually take from BB, as they can handle the pressure of longer hours.
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I agree but depends on the bank. For example, here at DB, the team with the most churn is LevFin. DB is known to be a financing bank hence LevFin has the best experience deal flow and exits. So if the no1 team is LevFin, go for LevFin.
BNP doesnt have strong buy-side exits in my opinion, most lateral to a stronger LevFin franchise
If you want to go to PE, it would make sense to take M&A and lateral to a BB M&A to follow the traditional path
For example, if your only way to go to PE is to lateral to another M&A shop, it would be easier if you are already in an M&A team, right?
You should look at previous classes of both teams, and check which one has common exit to PE or which one has common exit to place (e.g. M&A BB) that can send you to PE
Thank you, historically people from LevFin at my bank exited to BB LevFin teams and PC shops, 2 guys went to a MM PE fund (onw was very young, the second was a senior associate).
On the M&A side, some guys changed banks, other lateralled internally, others quit because of the hours. One person recently went to MM PE
In general I am more interested in M&A but the deal flow is worse and I am not sure I can take the hours (in LevFin we work a lot but there are also shorter days)
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